Omar Abdullah says cabinet reshuffle will not happen before August 15

SRINAGAR — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday hinted that a cabinet reshuffle will take place after August 15.

Speaking to reporters, as per the news agency KNO, the Chief Minister said the reshuffle was “a work in progress” but clarified that it would not happen before Independence Day.

“It is a work in progress, but not before August 15. It would be an injustice to those ministers whose names have been included in the list [for Independence Day] speeches. They are drafting their speeches. Let them finish their speeches; we will talk about it after that,” he said, adding that the reshuffle will take place.

Responding to journalists’ questions on the reshuffle, Omar asked why they were so concerned. “You don’t ask this question to the Prime Minister in Delhi. There has been talk of a reshuffle there for months, but nobody asks this question. I don’t know why you are so concerned about this,” he said.

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Reshuffle expected after August 15, sources say

Sources told KNO that the cabinet reshuffle is expected immediately after August 15, as ministers will need to prepare for the autumn session of the Assembly, likely to begin on September 21.

“It could take place in the first week after August 15,” sources said.

As per law, the strength of the council of ministers, currently six, cannot exceed nine. According to sources, two to three new faces from the Kashmir Valley are likely to be inducted into the council of ministers.

“There could also be a rejig in portfolios, and one minister from Jammu may lose a key portfolio,” sources said.